Methods and Apparatus for Adjusting Blood Circulation

Abstract

A method and device for increasing blood flow by applying positive pressure to extremities of a mammal and/or controlling the temperature of the mammal. The device includes one or more collapsible and pliant body elements capable of expanding and flexibly applying pressurized compression forces to the extremity of the mammal by attaching one or more pressure-applying gas plenums as close to the extremity as possibly. The flexible extremity device can be used independently or can be used in conjunction with thermal pads disposed to the one or more collapsible and pliant body elements. Alternatively, the one or more collapsible and pliant body elements can be manufactured into thermal pads.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 868,542, filed Dec. 4, 2006 [DYNA / 0007L], and the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 896,460, filed Mar. 22, 2007 [DYNA / 0008L]. Each of the aforementioned related patent applications are herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]Embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for increasing blood flow within a human extremity and / or adjusting and maintaining the temperature of the body core.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Homoiothermic animals, such as humans, strive to maintain relatively constant internal temperatures despite temperature variations in ambient environments and fluctuations in internal heat released as cellular metabolism byproducts. In humans, the thermal core generally includes the vital organs of the body, such as th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for increasing blood flow and/or controlling body temperature which can be used in regulating body temperature to prevent and/or intervene thermal maladies, deep vein thrombosis, PE and other disease arising from a compromised thermal

Problems solved by technology

Blood volume and cardiac output in mammals are insufficient to uniformly perfuse all tissues in the body.

The thermoregulatory system in homoiothermic animals can be compromised by many factors (anesthesia, trauma, environment, others) and may lead to the various thermal maladies and disease conditions.

Thermal maladies, such as hypothermia and hyperthermia, can occur when the thermoregulatory system is overwhelmed by severe environmental conditions.

However, vasoconstriction makes it much more difficult to reverse a hypothermic state since vasoconstriction impedes the transfer of heat from the body surface to the thermal core and makes it difficult to simply apply heat to the surface of the body.

Other thermal malady related diseases, such as venous thromboembolic disease, continues to cause significa

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